Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
Hero Lamp by Panorammma, Brass-Plated Stainless Steel, Stone Sphere, Sculptural
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Hero Lamp is a sculptural floor lamp virtuously crafted in stainless steel with a brass plated finish which holds a stone globe that gives off a warm candle-like light. This unique...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Post-Modern Octaëder Floor Lamp or Light Object by Marcel Simons, 1993
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magical and rare Post-Modern Octaëder floor lamp or light object. Design by Marcel Simons. Striking Dutch design from the 1990s Made out of glass plates and yellow plastic pyramid in...
Glass
E.T.A Floor Lamp by Guglielmo Berchicci for Kundalini
By Guglielmo Berchicci, Kundalini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A striking and instantly recognisable Italian floor lamp, the E.T.A designed by Guglielmo Berchicci for Kundalini is one of the most iconic lighting pieces of the late twentieth cent...
Fiberglass
Rare G. Fantinato for Febo Luce 'Faro' Floor Lamp in Steel and Marble
Located in Waalwijk, NL
G. Fantinato for Febo Luce, 'Faro' floor Lamp, chrome-plated steel, Carrara marble, glass, Italy, 1970s A striking floor lamp designed by Italian designer G. Fantinato, titled Faro,...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
1980s Koch-Lowy Floor Lamp by Piotr Sierakowski
By Koch & Lowy, Piotr Sierakowski
Located in Oakland, CA
1980s Koch-Lowy floor lamp, cast iron base metal rod stem and adjustable painted aluminum shade. The main stem swivels from side to side and the shade can be turned 360 degrees. The...
Aluminum, Iron
Double Bronze Sconce by Solis Betancourt for Holly Hunt
By HOLLY HUNT, José Solís Betancourt 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the exquisite "Double Bronze" Sconce by Solis Betancourt for Holly Hunt, a sophisticated addition to elevate your interior décor. Crafted ...
Bronze
Set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill" Arteluce wall sconces, 1980's
By Arteluce, Perry King and Santiago Miranda
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A large set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill " Arteluce wall sconces by Perry King and S. Miranda, available for purchase per piece. The design i...
Metal
$569Sale Price / set|60% Off
Postmodern Italian Murano Glass Wall Sconces, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Postmodern and beautiful set of two Murano glass Wall Sconces. These fixtures are made in Italy. Each Wall Sconce is equipped with one light halongen bulb. A professional electricia...
Metal
Artemide Wall Lights Steve Lombardi Filicudara Sconces, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair (2) aluminum post modern wall lamps by Steve Lombardi for Artemide, circa 1980 Italy Original, marked pair of post-modern sconces, 100W each, Edis...
Aluminum
$5,515 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL POSTMODERN Tin TABLE LAMP, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant architectural table lamp, Post-Modernist, NeoClassical, Shabby-Chic, a matte tin metal cylindrical base and 1 spherical body with a final cylindrical lampshade, in the spi...
Metal
$321 / item
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 26.67 x H 198.12 cm Materials: Engineered wood Stambha Noir is a striking sculptural column defined by its stacked, geometric black fo...
Wood
$6,433 / item
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG Dimensions: Ø 120 x H 163 cm (customizable height) Materials: Borosilicate glass, LEDs, Iron Finish: Chrome and Matt black All our la...
Nickel
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi ‘Singa’ Lamp
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi, ‘Singa’ lamp, plastic, steel, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1975 This rare ‘Singa’ lamp is designed by Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Ita...
Steel, Chrome
Lipparini “Lola” Flush Mount Light, Italian Postmodern Glass & Iron
By Lipparini
Located in Antwerp, BE
A sculptural Italian postmodern flush mount by Lipparini, dating from the 1990s, combining softly textured Murano-style glass with elegant dark metal scrollwork. This listing is for...
Iron
Tom Dixon iconic stackable floor lamp-stool 'Jack' 1994 - DESIGN AWARD WINNER
By Tom Dixon
Located in The Hague, NL
The Jack Lamp, designed by Tom Dixon in 1994, is an iconic and playful design object that combines art, functionality, and innovation. This striking lamp, also known as the "sitting,...
Acrylic
Italian Postmodern Wall Light, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Italian Postmodern wall light. Carries 3 light bulbs.
Metal
$14,391 / item
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 11 x W 185 x H 21 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,400Sale Price|50% Off
French 1980s Space Age Wall Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Space Age wall lights composed of polished brass fixtures and frosted glass shades. Newly Rewired with one candelabra socket each.
Brass
80s Pop Art Desk Lamp in the Postmodern Memphis Style
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
80s Pop Art desk lamp in the postmodern Memphis Style 80s 90s Postmodern desk lamp that can be extended to different heights. In the base there is a screw...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Icaro Sconce by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall lamps from the italian manufacturer artemide based on a design by carlo forcolini from the 80s. the artemide icaro is a design classic of ...
Metal
Jan Van Lierde Echos Dimmable Floor Lamp for Artemide, 1980s
By Artemide
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Echos floor lamp designed in the 1980s by Jean Van Lierde and produced by Artemide. The sculptural tower lamp features three separate light sources; halogen at the top, a dimmable sw...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian Postmodern Warrior Wall Lamp by Emanuele Ricci for Sidecar Artemide
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare warrior wall lamp from the italian manufacturer sidecar (artemide) based on a design by emanuele ricci from the early 90s. the name is reflected in the appearance of this lamp,...
Metal
Postmodern T+L Royal Series Typ L 133 Glas Wall Lamp from Keuco, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern glass wall light from the t+l royal bathroom cabinet series by keuco. the striking shape of the lamp is particularly eye-catching. A halved cone standing on top. The lamp...
Metal
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and rattan sconces/ wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Sold with Lampshades. Dimensions stated are of S...
Brass
Postmodern Pink Ceramic and Lucite Swirled Table Lamp
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Outstanding vintage postmodern ceramic table lamp. Features a pink glass finish over the twisted rectangular body. 3 way lighting.
Ceramic
$1,334 / item
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 12 cm Materials: opaline acrylic, bronze, bulit in dimmer switch and warm LED light. Fittings also av...
Bronze, Other
Postmodern Model Pao F Floor Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, Italy, 1990s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
The floor lamp version from the PAO light series from Arteluce according to a design by Matteo Thun. The Pao lights impress with their characteristic diffuser and foot made of matt ...
Glass, Wood
Postmodern Multi-Arm Spider Floor Lamp by Leitmotiv, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Postmodern multi-arm floor lamp produced by Leitmotiv during the 1980s. Commonly referred to as a “spider” lamp, the design features five independently adjustable arms extending fro...
Metal
Post-Modern Torchiere Floor Lamp by Kovacs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Cool 1980’s Post-Modern Sculptural torchiere floor lamp by Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. In beautiful original condition. It takes 150 W halogen bulb. New inline dimmer. Measuremen...
Steel
Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform Post-Modern 'Tulpa' Table Lamp
By Lumenform, Claudio Salocchi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Claudio Salocchi for Lumenform, 'Tulpa' lamp, marble, steel, chrome-plated steel, methacrylate, Italy, 1971 Designed in 1971 by the Italian architect and industrial designer Claudio...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
1980s Postmodern Plaster Floor Lamp by Dynasty Gallery
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This sculptural plaster floor lamp is a refined example of 1980s Postmodern design, attributed to Dynasty Gallery, a California studio known for its expressive plaster lighting and d...
Plaster
Large Nason Wall Lights for Mazzega Murano Glass, 1970
By Mazzega
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 Wall lights, made by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1970's. It is part of the "Murano for Mazzega" production. Clear Murano glass with chrome detail. Manufactured by the ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,810Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Venini Post-Modern handl-blown murano glass table lamp. Italy, 1970s
By Venini
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Italian table lamp made of thick Murano glass, manufactured by Venini in the 70s, Venice. Mushroom-shaped, handcrafted in soft cream-tone glass with swirling details in white a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Göran Slöjdare, Wall Light, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall light designed and produced by Göran Slöjdare, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 5.75” W x 5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 4.95” W ...
Pine
$3,450 / item
Kinetic Ingo Maurer 'Ilo Ilu' Light Sculpture
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ingo Maurer for Ingo Maurer GmbH, kinetic light sculpture model 'Ilo Ilu', steel, wood, plastic, metal, glass, Germany, 1986. This eccentric light sculpture named ‘Ilo Ilu’ is desig...
Metal, Steel
$7,500 / item
Serge Castella Chandelier, circa 2000, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Large "Spring" chandelier by Serge Castella. Custom-made. Signed and numbered. Metal and plaster. France, circa 2000. Excellent condition. Serge Castella Interiors focuses on Antique...
Metal
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
By Maison Lucien Gau, Philippe Starck
Located in Lille, FR
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
Aluminum
$1,901Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of "Cocktail" Jill Wall Lamps by King and Miranda for Arteluce, 1980s
By Perry King and Santiago Miranda, Arteluce
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful pair of Italian White Wall Sconces from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Italy by Perry King and Santiago Miranda. The name of the manufacturer "Arteluce"...
Metal
$1,000 / item
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 18 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
Rare solid pair of french 1970s table lamps crafted in brass and travertine.
Located in København K, 84
This rare solid pair of French 1970s table lamps exemplifies the minimalist elegance and material sophistication characteristic of postmodern design. Crafted from brass and travertin...
Travertine, Marble
A Sculptural POSTMODERN Ceiling Fixture, in DIEGO GIACOMETTI Style, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional ceiling lighting sculpture, handcrafted white plaster on a complex geometric metal/brass structure, featuring 5 lights (allow...
Brass
Grip Floor Lamp Designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos 1984
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Post-modern Grip floor lamp, designed by Achille Castiglioni, in 1985. manufactured by Flos, Italy. Painted Steel & Aluminum, Plastic. With makers bedge. The lamp creates a s...
Steel
Stilnovo UFO pendant, Stilnovo, 1980
By Stilnovo
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
UFO suspension of a big milky opalescent globe made by the Italian brand Stilnovo in the 1980's. Light pendant for ceiling.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$3,931 / item
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 18 x D 18 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminum, Transparent Powder Coating, Beige Powder Coating. All our lamps can be wired...
Aluminum
Alessandro Mendini Artemide Sidecar Table Lamp Murano Glass Postmodern
By Artemide, VeArt, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alessandro Mendini for Artemide Sidecar table lamp Postmodern Murano glass, 1980s. Exceedingly rare Memphis era design, signed. Gorgeous blush pink, t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$5,765 / item
Halo 62 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Halo 49 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 62 x H 7 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
Postmodern Danish Light Blue Perforated Metal Pendant from Abo Randers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wall lamp by Danish manufacturer Abo Randers from the 1980s. The lamp body consists of a metal sheet bent into a large radius and painted blue. The front part is designed as a shade...
Metal
1980 Bieffeplast Postmodern Italian Design Black White Wall Lamp Sconces
By Bieffeplast
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Post Modern Sconces prod. Bieffeplast Italy, 1980 Black metal grind and white bent plexiglass Black and White metal wall frame The...
Metal
A MINIMAL RADICAL "Privat" FLOOR LAMP by FRANZ WEST, META-MEMPHIS, Italy 1990
By Franz West
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular and iconique floor lamp in steel; Modern, Bauhaus, Constructivist, Forme-Libre; called "Privat lamp", by the Austrian artist Franz West (1947-2012), ed. Memphis, Italy ...
Steel
Sculptural Light No. 133, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 133 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 60 x W 90 x H 90 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Sculptural Light No. 130, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 130 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 55 x W 95 x H 75 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Post modern murano glass floor lamp by Veart, 1990s
By VeArt
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage 'Line' floor lamp designed by Jeannot Cerutti for Veart. The lamp has a metal tripod base and a murano glass conical lamp shade. Good condition, tested and ready for use. ...
Chrome
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 12.7 x D 12.7 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster with LEDs Based in, produced and shipped ...
Concrete, Other
Meritalia Alda Lamp, Small by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Created through a process that celebrates imperfection and unconventionality, the luminous objects by Edizioni del Pesce embody Gaetano Pesce's distinctive philosophy. Each luminous ...
Metal
"La Falene" Table Lamp ITALY 1980s
Located in Forest, BE
Designed by Piero de Martini for Arteluce the “Le Falene” lamp consists of a white and diffusible drape on top of a red lacquered structure. The design of this piece is delicate and ...
Metal
Sculptural Light No. 132, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 132 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 44 x W 95 x H 70 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 117 x D 224 x H 21 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Brass, Bronze
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Large Sculptural Lamp in Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro, table or floor lamp, aluminium, Italy, 1970s Sculptural and large lamp by Lorenzo Burchiellaro. Four triangular, bent aluminum sheets form a dynamic body to th...
Aluminum
$2,096Sale Price|20% Off
Caviar and Champaign bubbled Murano globe glass wall light, La Murrina, 1960's
By La Murrina
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
This Murano Glass globe is attributed to La Murrina. The story of the company La Murrina dates back to the 1960s in Murano where there was a small furnace managed by a group of glass...
Brass